U.S. patent application number 10/760414 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-05 for interconnection arrangement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Litton Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Benham, John.
Application Number | 20040152359 10/760414 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34215768 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040152359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benham, John |
August 5, 2004 |
Interconnection arrangement
Abstract
An electrical interconnection arrangement includes a cable
laminate adapted to receive a plurality of twinaxial cables; an
interposer including a plurality of spring contacts; wherein the
interposer has a first side adapted to mate with the cable laminate
and electrically connect the plurality of spring contacts to one
and of the plurality of twinaxial cables; and wherein the
interposer has a second side adapted to mate with a PC board and
electrically connect the plurality of spring contacts to mating
contact points on the PC board. The arrangement may also include an
adapter adapted to receive a twinaxial cable; and first and second
coaxial cable type connectors located on the adapter; wherein an
inner conductor of the first coaxial cable type connector is
electrically connected to a first inner conductor of the twinaxial
cable and an inner conductor of the second coaxial cable type
connector is electrically connected to a second inner conductor of
the twinaxial cable; and wherein an outer shell of the first and
second coaxial cable type connectors is connected to an outer
conductive shield of the twinaxial cable.
Inventors: |
Benham, John; (Torrington,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GILMAN AND BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD
SUITE 300 /310
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Litton Systems, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34215768 |
Appl. No.: |
10/760414 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60442540 |
Jan 27, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/607.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 439/912 20130101;
H01R 24/44 20130101; H01R 12/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/610 |
International
Class: |
H01R 009/03 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical interconnection arrangement for mating to a PC
board, comprising: a cable laminate adapted to receive a plurality
of twinaxial cables; an interposer including a plurality of spring
contacts; wherein said interposer has a first side adapted to mate
with said cable laminate and electrically connect said plurality of
spring contacts each to one end of said plurality of twinaxial
cables; and wherein said interposer has a second side adapted to
mate with the PC board and electrically connect said plurality of
spring contacts to mating contact points on the PC board, thereby
electrically connecting said twinaxial cables to the PC board.
2. An electrical interconnection arrangement comprising: an adapter
adapted to receive a twinaxial cable; and first and second coaxial
cable type connectors located on said adapter; wherein an inner
conductor of said first coaxial cable type connector is
electrically connected to a first inner conductor of said twinaxial
cable and an inner conductor of said second coaxial cable type
connector is electrically connected to a second inner conductor of
said twinaxial cable; and wherein an outer shell of said first and
second coaxial cable type connectors is connected to an outer
conductive shield of said twinaxial cable, thereby enabling said
twinaxial cable to be electrically connected to two coaxial cable
type connectors.
3. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of
adapters, each of said adapters adapted to receive a respective one
of said plurality of twinaxial cables; and first and second coaxial
cable type connectors located on each of said adapter; wherein an
inner conductor of said first coaxial cable type connector of the
each of said plurality of adapters is electrically connected to a
first inner conductor of its respective twinaxial cable and an
inner conductor of said second coaxial cable type connector of each
of said plurality of adapters is electrically connected to a second
inner conductor of its twinaxial cable; and wherein an outer shell
of said first and second coaxial cable type connectors of each of
said adapters is connected to an outer conductive shield of its
respective twinaxial cable, thereby enabling each of said plurality
of twinaxial cables to be electrically connected to two respective
coaxial cable type connectors.
4. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: another cable
laminate adapted to receive a second end of said plurality of
twinaxial cables; another interposer including a another plurality
of spring contacts; wherein said another interposer has a first
side adapted to mate with said another cable laminate and
electrically connect said plurality of spring contacts to said
another end of said plurality of twinaxial cables; and wherein said
another interposer has a second side adapted to mate with another
PC board and electrically connect said another plurality of spring
contacts to mating contact points on said another PC board, thereby
electrically connecting said another PC board to said PC board.
5. The arrangement of claim 2, further comprising: another adapter
adapted to receive said twinaxial cable; and third and fourth
coaxial cable type connectors located on said another adapter;
wherein an inner conductor of said third coaxial cable type
connector is electrically connected to a first inner conductor of
said twinaxial cable and an inner conductor of said fourth coaxial
cable type connector is electrically connected to a second inner
conductor of said twinaxial cable; and wherein an outer shell of
said third and fourth coaxial cable type connectors is connected to
an outer conductive shield of said twinaxial cable, thereby
enabling said third and fourth coaxial cable type connectors to be
respectively electrically connected to two coaxial cable type
connectors.
6. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said cable laminate is made
of an electrically non-conductive material and said interposer is
made of an electrically non-conductive material.
7. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said spring contacts are
fuzz buttons.
8. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein impedance is .+-.5%.
9. An electrical interconnection arrangement, comprising: a
plurality of adapters, each of said adapters adapted to receive one
of a plurality of twinaxial cables; and first and second coaxial
cable type connectors located on each of said adapter; wherein an
inner conductor of said first coaxial cable type connector of the
each of said plurality of adapters is electrically connected to a
first inner conductor of its respective twinaxial cable and an
inner conductor of said second coaxial cable type connector of each
of said plurality of adapters is electrically connected to a second
inner conductor of its twinaxial cable; and wherein an outer shell
of said first and second coaxial cable type connectors of each of
said adapters is connected to an outer conductive shield of its
respective twinaxial cable, thereby enabling each of said plurality
of twinaxial cables to be electrically connected to two respective
coaxial cable type connectors.
10. The electrical interconnection of claim 9 further comprises: a
cable laminate adapted to receive a respective one of said
plurality of twinaxial cables; an interposer including a plurality
of spring contacts; wherein said interposer has a first side
adapted to mate with said cable laminate and electrically connect
said plurality of spring contacts each to one end of said plurality
of twinaxial cables; and wherein said interposer has a second side
adapted to mate with the PC board and electrically connect said
plurality of spring contacts to mating contact points on the PC
board, thereby electrically connecting said twinaxial cables to the
PC board.
11. The arrangement of claim 9, further comprising: another cable
laminate adapted to receive a second end of said plurality of
twinaxial cables; another interposer including a another plurality
of spring contacts; wherein said another interposer has a first
side adapted to mate with said another cable laminate and
electrically connect said plurality of spring contacts to said
another end of said plurality of twinaxial cables; and wherein said
another interposer has a second side adapted to mate with another
PC board and electrically connect said another plurality of spring
contacts to mating contact points on said another PC board, thereby
electrically connecting said another PC board to said PC board.
12. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein said adapter has a
T-shape.
13. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein an electrically
non-conductor insulator is positioned in one connection of said
adapter and a coaxial cable is positioned therein and one end
thereof is in contact with a twinax cable.
14. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein said adapter has a
T-shape.
15. The arrangement of claim 3, wherein an electrically
non-conductor insulator is positioned in one connection of said
adapter and a coaxial cable is positioned therein and one end
thereof is in contact with a twinax cable.
16. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein said adapter has a
T-shape.
17. The arrangement of claim 5, wherein an electrically
non-conductor insulator is positioned in one connection of said
adapter and a coaxial cable is positioned therein and one end
thereof is in contact with a twinax cable.
18. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein said adapter has a
T-shape.
19. The arrangement of claim 9, wherein an electrically
non-conductor insulator is positioned in one connection of said
adapter and a coaxial cable is positioned therein and one end
thereof is in contact with a twinax cable.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Serial No. 60/442,540 filed Jan. 27,
2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an electrical
interconnection arrangement and more particularly, the present
invention relates to an interconnection arrangement that enables
interfacing between twinaxial connections and coaxial
connections.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Backplane systems are comprised of a complex printed circuit
board that is referred to as the backplane or motherboard, and
several smaller printed circuit boards that are referred to as
daughtercards, which plug into the backplane. Each of the
daughtercards may include a chip that is referred to as a
driver/receiver. The driver/receiver sends and receives signals
from driver/receivers on other daughtercards. A signal path is
formed between the driver/receiver on a first daughtercard and a
driver/receiver on a second daughtercard. The signal path includes
an electrical connector that connects the first daughtercard to the
backplane, a second electrical connector that connects the second
daughtercard to the backplane, with the second daughtercard having
the driver/receiver that receives the carried signal. Various
driver/receivers being used today can transmit signals at data
rates between 5-10 Gb/sec and greater. The limiting factor (data
transfer rate) in the signal path are the electrical connectors
that connect each daughtercard to the backplane. A need thus
existed in the art for a high-speed electrical connector capable of
handling the required high-speed transfer of data.
[0006] The need for a high-speed electrical connector capable of
handling the required high-speed transfer of data has been met by
the connector disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No.
10/234,859, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Sep.
5, 2002, entitled "Interconnection System", and bearing a common
Assignee to that of the present application, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the
present application. This connector 2200, as illustrated in FIG. 1,
in conjunction with interposers 2300 as illustrated in FIG. 2,
allows multiple high-speed interconnections between two circuit
boards utilizing multiple twinaxial connections. As illustrated in
FIG. 2, the connector of FIG. 1 interfaces with the PC board 2600
via the interposers 2300. The interposers 2300 utilize a plurality
of spring contacts to electrically connect the twinaxial cable ends
of the connector to mating contact points on the PC board 2600.
[0007] It was found, however, that a need arose for an
interconnection arrangement to electrically test the PC board 2600
via the mating contact points. It was also found that a need arose
for adapting the twinaxial cable so as to electrically test it
using commercially available test equipment having only coaxial
cable connectors. Still furthermore, a need arose for an
interconnection arrangement to electrically connect spaced apart PC
boards so as to enable high-speed data transfer therebetween
utilizing semirigid or flexible cables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention to substantially satisfy
the above-mentioned needs.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electrical interconnection arrangement capable of carrying signals
at data rates between 5-10 Gb/sec or more.
[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an electrical interconnection arrangement having a plurality of
differential pairs each of having constant impedance over the
signal path and capable of carrying signals at between 5-10 Gb/sec
or more.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
electrical interconnection arrangement in which cross-talk between
signal paths of adjacent cables is reduced and/or eliminated.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
compression type electrical interconnection arrangement using a
conductive spring configuration to interface the electrical
connector with its mating PC board.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
adapter to enable a twinaxial cable to be electrically connected to
two coaxial cable type connectors.
[0014] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved by providing an electrical interconnection arrangement
comprising: a cable laminate adapted to receive a plurality of
twinaxial cables; an interposer including a plurality of spring
contacts and having a first side adapted to mate with the cable
laminate and electrically connect the plurality of spring contacts
to the plurality of twinaxial cables and having a second side
adapted to mate with a PC board and electrically connect the
plurality of spring contacts to mating contact points on the PC
board, thereby electrically connecting the twinaxial cables to the
PC board.
[0015] The above noted arrangement may further comprise a plurality
of adapters, each of the adapters adapted to receive a respective
one of the plurality of twinaxial cables; and first and second
coaxial cable type connectors located on each of the adapter;
wherein an inner conductor of the first coaxial cable type
connector of the each of the plurality of adapters is electrically
connected to a first inner conductor of its respective twinaxial
cable and an inner conductor of the second coaxial cable type
connector of each of the plurality of adapters is electrically
connected to a second inner conductor of its twinaxial cable; and
wherein an outer shell of the first and second coaxial cable type
connectors of each of the adapters is connected to an outer
conductive shield of its respective twinaxial cable, thereby
enabling each of the plurality of twinaxial cables to be
electrically connected to two respective coaxial cable type
connectors.
[0016] The above noted arrangement may also further comprise
another cable laminate adapted to receive a second end of the
plurality of twinaxial cables; another interposer including a
another plurality of spring contacts; wherein the another
interposer has a first side adapted to mate with the another cable
laminate and electrically connect the plurality of spring contacts
to the another end of the plurality of twinaxial cables; and
wherein the another interposer has a second side adapted to mate
with another PC board and electrically connect the another
plurality of spring contacts to mating contact points on the
another PC board, thereby electrically connecting the another PC
board to the PC board.
[0017] These and other objects of the present invention may also be
achieved by providing an electrical interconnection arrangement
comprising an adapter adapted to receive a twinaxial cable and
first and second coaxial cable type connectors, an inner conductor
of the first coaxial cable type connector being electrically
connected to a first inner conductor of the twinaxial cable and an
inner conductor of the second coaxial cable type connector being
electrically connected to a second inner conductor of the twinaxial
cable and an outer shell of the first and second coaxial cable type
connectors being connected to an outer conductive shield of the
twinaxial cable, thereby enabling the twinaxial cable to be
electrically connected to two coaxial cable type connectors.
[0018] The above noted arrangement may further comprise another
adapter adapted to receive the twinaxial cable; and third and
fourth coaxial cable type connectors located on the another
adapter; wherein an inner conductor of the third coaxial cable type
connector is electrically connected to a first inner conductor of
the twinaxial cable and an inner conductor of the fourth coaxial
cable type connector is electrically connected to a second inner
conductor of the twinaxial cable; and wherein an outer shell of the
third and fourth coaxial cable type connectors is connected to an
outer conductive shield of the twinaxial cable, thereby enabling
the third and fourth coaxial cable type connectors to be
respectively electrically connected to two coaxial cable type
connectors.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The foregoing and a better understanding of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of example embodiments and the claims when read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, all forming a part of
the disclosure of this invention. While the foregoing and following
written and illustrated disclosure focuses on disclosing example
embodiments of the invention, it should be clearly understood that
the same is by way of illustration and example only and that the
invention is not limited thereto. This spirit and scope of the
present invention are limited only by the terms of the appended
claims.
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrations of a connector in accordance
with the interconnection system of the aforecited copending patent
application;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a cable laminate portion of a
connector arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example of an interposer
adapted to mate with the cable laminate portion of FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the interposer mated with the
cable laminate portion, including hardware;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an adapter in accordance with
an embodiment of the interconnection arrangement of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG.
6;
[0026] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 7A
taken along line 7A-7B;
[0027] FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the adapter of FIG. 7A; and
[0028] FIG. 8 is an illustration of adapters positioned on both
ends of a twinaxial cable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a cable laminate portion 10 of a
connector arrangement in accordance with the principles of the
present invention. The cable laminate portion 10 includes a
laminate plate 11 formed of an electrically non-conductive
material. The cable laminate plate 11 includes a plurality of
apertures 12 adapted to receive a respective plurality of twinaxial
cables 14. Ends 16 of the twinaxial cables 14 (preferably
semi-rigid 100-Ohm) are preferably in the same plane and may either
be flush with one surface 18, the cable laminate portion 10 or
raised therefrom, depending on the construction of the mating
interposer to be discussed below. An adapter 20 is connected to an
opposite end of the twinaxial cable 14 for each cable 14.
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an interposer 400 adapted
to mate with the cable laminate portion 10 of FIG. 3. As
illustrated therein, a plurality of apertures 2044 are formed
within the interposer 400, the apertures adapted to receive a
plurality of spring contacts 2034. One side of the interposer is
adapted to mate with the cable laminate portion 10 of FIG. 3. The
spring contacts 2034 contact the inner conductors and outer shields
of the exposed twinaxial cable ends of the interposer 2200 as
explained in greater detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/036,796
filed Jan. 7, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety. For example, each twinaxial cable end
16 has a corresponding spring contact 2034 on the interposer 400 to
respectively electrically connect the inner conductors thereto and
has four corresponding spring contacts 2034 on the interposer 400
to electrically connect the outer shield of each twinaxial cable
end thereto.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates the interposer 400 mated with the cable
laminate portion 10, including hardware to secure the combination
together and to allow the combination to be mated with a
corresponding PC board. Note that if the interconnection
arrangement is to be used to test the electrical characteristics of
the PC board to which it is being mated, the arrangement of the
combination including hardware must correspond to that of the
connector that normally mates with the PC board. In fact, the
interposer 400 of FIG. 4 can be similar to or identical to the
interposer disclosed in the aforecited copending patent
application.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates the adapter 20 in accordance with an
embodiment of the interconnection arrangement of the present
invention. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG.
6. The adapter 20 has a one piece body 712 having a T-shape,
although other shapes can be used. One connection 714 has external
threads 716 and a cylindrical bore 718 into which a cylindrical
electrical insulator 720 is positioned. The electrical insulator
720 has a central thru bore 730 into which a coaxial connector 710
is positioned. The opposite connection 740 of the T-shaped body 712
has the same configuration as the opposite parallel connection 714.
Each connection 714, 740 provides an SMA interface, although other
RF interfaces are usable, such as an MCX interface, 2.4 mm or
similar. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the twinaxial cable 16 has its
inner conductors 16' respectively electrically connected to the
inner conductors 710 of the two coaxial type connectors of the
adapter. The body 712 has a leg 742 which is electrically connected
to the outer shield of the twinaxial cable. Although a one-piece
adapter is shown and is preferable for mass production of the
adapter, other adapter, such as a two-piece soldered together can
be used. A Teflon.TM. cap 720 and a cap 722 are located opposite
the twinax cable 14 in order to seal the adapter 20.
[0033] Returning to FIG. 5, adapters 20 are illustrated as being
connected to respective ends of the twinaxial cables 14 with the
other ends thereof being connected to the interposer/cable laminate
portion/hardware combination. This arrangement allows the PC board
to be electrically connected to coaxial type connectors, thereby
facilitating testing of the PC board or to facilitate connection of
the PC board to other electrical elements having only coaxial
connectors without adding line discontinuities resulting in
inaccurate testing of the PC board or degraded connections between
the other electrical elements and the PC board.
[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates adapters 20 placed on both ends of a
twinaxial cable. This allows the interconnection of two electrical
elements having only coaxial connectors with the inherent
advantages of twinaxial cables.
[0035] While not illustrated, it is apparent to one skilled in the
art that interposer/cable laminate portion/hardware combinations
can be respectively connected to both ends of a twinaxial cable.
This allows for the interconnection of two PC boards that are
spaced apart and cannot be connected together with the connector of
the interconnection system of the aforecited copending patent
application. Advantageously, the present invention minimizes
reflection and insertion losses for the RF connector according to
the present invention.
[0036] This concludes the description of the example embodiments.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to
a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be
understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be
devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the
spirit and scope of the principles of this invention. More
particularly, reasonable variations and modifications are possible
in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject
combination arrangements within the scope of the foregoing
disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims without departing
from the spirit of the invention. In additions to variations and
modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements,
alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
* * * * *